5 Tips for Minimizing Your Business Travel Expenses

How do you reduce your business travel expenses when you travel for work? Here at Davidson Village Inn, we have a few tips for saving money on business travel. Charlotte is home to many corporate headquarters including Bank of America and the east coast operations of Wells Fargo. And with Charlotte Douglas International being the 6th busiest airport in the United States, there are lots of business travelers coming and going through our area.

Here are 5 tips for minimizing your business travel expenses.

You don’t have to sacrifice to save

Get away from the hubbub of the Uptown area after a long day at work and escape to the small town of Davidson, North Carolina. Davidson is a quick 30-minute ride North from Charlotte. The location of our B&B, Davidson Village Inn, is not only convenient to the many nearby corporations, but is also in a safe, quiet part of town. Staying at a boutique inn such as ours can be a nice change from the chain hotels you might be accustomed to.

We offer affordable Executive Suites for business travelers complete with 4 poster Queen Bed, working desk and chair, flat-screen television, and a separate kitchenette area. We also offer specials throughout the year to help you save you money when you travel while also having a bit of fun. From our Pedal Around Davidson special to our Movie Night at Our Town Cinemas, you’ll have a little something to do after a long day at work. Business travelers can also save money and keep their exercise routines on point when staying at Davidson Village Inn. When you stay with us while on business, you’ll receive free passes to the Lake Norman YMCA. It is located 1 mile down the road from the Inn and offers lakefront activities, a pool, and state of the art equipment.

Points aren’t always the answer – explore your options

Many business people frequently stay at chain hotels when they travel simply because they get points for their stay. However, an addiction to earning points can prevent you from exploring other, better travel options. You may earn points staying at a chain hotel, but you could end up in a building near the busy interstate, without any personal service. Make sure to explore local lodging options when you travel: not only are these businesses just as affordable as chain hotels, they offer personalized service and are more familiar with the area. Not only that, they’re frequently located away from busy highways so you can enjoy a quiet night’s sleep.

Eat healthily without breaking the bank

It can get pricey paying for every meal when you are away from home. Even breakfast can be a pain, and most hotel breakfasts leave much to be desired. Staying at an inn or bed and breakfast can offer better options. For example, when you stay with us at the Inn, we start each morning at 7:00 am with a complimentary breakfast buffet. The buffet is sure to start your morning off on the right foot. You’ll enjoy a spread of fresh eggs, cereal, cheeses, yogurt, locally-made baked goods, local Summit coffee, fresh fruit, and juice. If you check in by 3:00 pm, we’ll even treat you to an afternoon tea with cookies.

Book direct to avoid extra fees

With online travel sites constantly promoting their amazing deals, it’s easy to think that they’re the best way to save when you travel. But don’t forget – they’re businesses, and they have to make money. They do this by tacking fees onto advertised rates. Also, because online travel agencies (OTAs) take a cut of the profits from any listing, many hotels and inns post higher rates on these sites, just to make up for the commission fees. So how can you avoid this? It’s simple – book directly with the hotel or inn! By visiting the property’s website or calling to book direct, you are guaranteed the lowest rate and will avoid any hidden fees. With smaller inns such as ours, you’ll also be supporting a local business, not an online travel site!

Getting around town.

When your travel brings you to the Charlotte area, there are quite a few inexpensive ways to get around. When you are in Uptown, look for the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail. The LYNX runs every 10 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day and is only $2.20 each way. There are 15 stations to catch the LYNX. There is also the Gold Rush Red Line Trolley cars that begin service as early as 6:40 am. The best thing about the Gold Rush Red Line is it’s free!

Let us help you make your business travel a little less stressful. For information on our current specials or for assistance booking your room, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 704-892-8044, or book online. We welcome all travelers to the area on business or pleasure. We look forward to hosting you soon.